FEN: Hyponatremia and Hypo-osmolal States Flashcards
Describe laboratory values and steps in diagnosis of hyponatremia
- Measure [serum sodium]
- Measure [serum osmolality] to determine if hyperosmotic, iso-osmotic or hypo-osmotic hyponatremia
- If hypo-osmotic, measure [urine osmolality] (measure body response to hyponatremia)
- Measure [urinary sodium] to assess water retention/sodium retention mechanisms
A serum sodium less than what ? mEq/L usually correlates with a reduction in plasma osmolality?
Na+ less than 136 mEq/L
Describe the fluid shift that occurs with hyponatremia and subsequent hypo-osmolality
Fluid shift into cells resulting in cellular overhydration
Dx with low plasma sodium and normal plasma osmolality
Pseudohyponatremia
- Hyperlipidemia (can also be elevated osmolality in severe)
- Hyperproteinemia
Dx with low plasma sodium and elevated plasma osmolality
Pseudohyponatremia
- Hyperglycemia
- Mannitol
What is pseudohyponatremia?
Although plasma Na+ is low, total body Na+ content is normal. Instead, the body is adapting to increased osmolality:
- Na+ shifts into cells
- Water shifts from inside cells to EC compartment, diluting Na+ concentration.
Explain how urine osmolality is used in differential diagnosis of hyponatremia
- Hypervolemia vs. Hypo or Eu-volemia is often easy to make based on physical exam and history
- Hypo- vs. Euvolemia is more difficult.
- The body’s normal response to hyponatremia (low serum osmolality) is suppress ADH and to excrete maximally diluted urine, i.e. Urine osm less than 100 mOsm/kg
- Urine osmolality greater than 100 mOsm/kg indicates body cannot excrete dilute urine
- This is often a result of SIADH, such as due to medications.
Describe the pathophysiology of Heart Failure and Hyponatremia
- In heart failure, there is a reduction in effective circulatory blood volume
- This decrease in cardiac output and weakening of sensitivity of baroreceptors provides
- A non-osmotic release of arginine vasopressin
- This reduces the ability of the kidneys to dilute urine in setting of hypoosmolar hyponatremia.
Describe the pathophysiology of cirrhosis and nephrotic syndrome in hyponatremia
- Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes body to pass too much protein in urine, resulting in a urine that is not maximally dilute (impaired water excretion).
- Cirrhosis results in portal hypertension and associated systemic vasodilation, which causes decrease in effective circulatory blood volume. This causes non-osmotic release of ADH.
Describe hypovolemic hyponatremia
Deficit of both Na+ and fluid, but total Na+ is decreased more than total body water
Describe euvolemic hyponatremia
Normal total body Na+ with excess fluid volume (i.e. dilutional)
Describe hypervolemic hyponatremia
Excess Na+ and fluid, but fluid excess predominates
Give four examples of hypovolemic hyponatremia
- fluid loss (e.g. emesis, diarrhea, fever)
- Third spacing
- Renal loss (diuretics)
- Cerebral salt wasting
Give two examples of euvolemic hyponatremia
- SIADH
2. Drug-induced SIADH
Give two examples of hypervolemic hyponatremia
- Edematous disorders (HF, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome)
2. Acute or ochronic renal failure
How can you use urinary sodium and urine osmolality in differential diagnosis of HYPOvolemic hyponatremia?
- Urine sodium less than 25 mEq/L indicates nonrenal loss (e.g. fluid loss, cerebral salt wasting, third spacing)
- Urine sodium greater than 40 mEq/L indicates renal loss of Na+ (e.g. diuretics)
How can you use urinary sodium and urine osmolality in differential diagnosis of HYPERvolemic hyponatremia?
- Urinary sodium less than 25 mEq/L indicates edematous disorders (HF, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome)
- Urine sodium greater than 25 mEq/L indicates acute or chronic renal failure
Three ways volume status can be assessed in setting of hyponatremia?
- Skin turgor
- Jugular venous pressure
- urine sodium
Describe the water content of the body in SIADH
- Although SIADH is considered a “euvolemic hyponatremia”
- This is because extracellular (interstitial and intravascular) compartments are near normal, however, intracellular is above normal.
- In the acute state of SIADH, hypervolemia caused by inability to concentrate urine results in natriuresis
- At steady state, urine sodium matches sodium intake, which explains urine sodium being greater than 40 mEq/L.
What are diagnostic laboratory parameters for SIADH?
- Low serum sodium
- Urine osmolality greater than 100 mOsm/kg (reflecting inability to excrete free water)
- Urine sodium greater than 40 mEq/L (reflecting natriuresis to compensate for inappropriate ADH)
- Should also consider normal thyroid, normal cortisol, absence of kidney/heart/liver problems.